Introduction of X431 BMW Diagnostic Software Special Functions

BMW has always been ahead of the world either on car design, overall performance, and
controllability or on comfort. The BMW 3 Series even won the "2006 World Car of the Year"
Award.
The use of high-tech electronic control technology improves the vehicle performance, but
also makes the car more complicated, which is hard to maintain if there is any trouble on the car,
the professional technician even needs the assist of advanced devices. Therefore, Shenzhen
Launch Tech Co., Ltd. has released series of automotive fault diagnostic equipments：X431, and
ADM, etc. to facilitate the automotive maintenance technicians, which is warmly welcomed by the
users.
This paper briefly introduces X431 BMW diagnostic software, especially for the use of
special functions.
Firstly, briefly introduce the location and shape of DLC, and the location of chassis
identification mark for BMW.
1). Generally, there are two common DLCs for BMW: 20pin round DLC and 16pin OBDII DLC,
the former is located in the engine compartment, the latter is located on the dashboard near the
steering column in the driver cab. Generally speaking, the older models apply the 20pin round
DLC, the newer models apply the 16pin OBDII DLC, while, some models contain both. After
entered the X431 BMW software, the options of DLC location description will appear on the
interface as shown in Fig.1 ~ Fig.4, which can show the location and shape of DLC after clicks.

Fig.1 Fig.2

Fig.3 Fig.4

2). BMW's chassis: 1 Series (E87), 3 Series (E30, E36, E46 and E90), 5 Series (E28, E34, E39,
E60/E61, F07 and F10/F11), 6 Series (E24, E63/E64 and F12/F13), 7 Series (E23, E32, E38,
E65/E66 and F01/F02/F03/F04), 8 Series (E31), X Series [X1 ( E83), X3 (E83, F25), X5 (E53,
E70) and X6 (E71)], Z Series [Z1 (E30), Z3 (E36), Z4 (E85/E86, E89) and Z8 (E52)], and MINI.
Except the chassis of MINI which can be easily identified, the other chassis are generally marked
on support columns of the bonnet or the trunk, i.e. after opened the bonnet or the trunk, the 5
Series "E39" etc., character can be seen, supported by two small round columns.
During using X431 to test the BMW, most customers are already very familiar with the
use of read fault memory, clear fault memory, data stream and some actuation test functions as
which are easy to understand, however, they pay little attention to the version information function,
which need particularly explained here, the so-called version information refers to the system
description of ECU, including hardware number, software number and some other information, as
shown in Fig.7. If you experience vague, doubt and the case which can not be solved during using
X431, we can quickly target and solve the problem if the version information (i.e. enter the
corresponding system) can be read and fed back to us.
The following are the details of BMW special functions, few customers understood and used,
but extremely important in X431 BMW software. During using BMW special functions, the tips
and warnings of each step must be carefully read, otherwise you will not get the expected results,
and will even damage the machines, control unit (computer) and device and may not start them
again. For the X431 BMW diagnostic software V26.00 and its future version, the special functions
can be basically divided into engine & immobilizer synchronization, steering wheel adjustment,
reset (such as engine oil reset and mileage reset, etc.), as well as important recoding or
programming, etc.
Engine & immobilizer synchronization: is the matching between engine control system
and immobilizer control system, that is to say, all parameters of engine control system shall be
recognized and verified by the immobilizer control system, otherwise, engine will not start or does
not work, etc. Therefore, after the control unit of engine or immobilizer being replaced, the engine
and immobilizer shall be synchronized.
Here takes the BMW 3 Series (E90) for example:
Step 1: select chassis 3 Series—>E90, as shown in Fig.5.
Step 2: select system DME and CAS (as shown in Fig.6) to perform read DTCs and clear
DTCs, etc., functions, to ensure there is no DTC exist. And confirm the engine model, as shown in
Fig.7. Then enter the DME, and click Service Function—>Adjustment—>DME/DDE-CAS to
synchronize, as shown in Fig.8 and Fig.9.
 Fig.5 Fig.6

Fig.7 Fig.8
Step 3: as shown in Fig.10, as we already confirm that the DME and CAS without fault
memory related to the matching, then we can click YES to next step. In each step, the shown
contents shall be especially paid attention to, particularly the precautions and warnings, which
shall be implemented in strict accordance.

Fig.9

Fig.10
Step 4: as shown in Fig.11, if the battery voltage is too low, it will prompt the voltage supply.
Click OK to exit the function; otherwise, go to next step.

Fig.11
 Step 5: as shown in Fig.12, enter the function menu option interface.

Fig.12
Select [1] to show the description of DME and CAS adjustment, as shown in Fig.13, the
other description does not list here;
Select [2] to program the start value when connecting the control unit of new DME;
Select [3] to perform the start value matching;
Select [4] to exit the function.
Select [2] or [3] till the interface shown as Fig.14 and Fig.15 which indicates the DME and
CAS have been synchronized. Turn the ignition off as the figure shown, and then restart the
engine.

Fig.13

Fig.14

Fig.15
 Steering wheel adjustment: just as the name implies, it is the calibration process of steering
wheel, i.e. after the steering wheel being replaced or disassembled, or steering wheel angle sensor
being replaced, the steering wheel shall be adjusted, otherwise, the power steering system will not
work properly, here also takes the above-mentioned model as an example.
Step 1: select chassis 3 Series—>E90, as shown in Fig.5.

Fig.16

Step 2: select DSC to read fault memory, clear fault memory, and read data stream, as shown in
Fig.16, if the steering angle data is not 0, it indicates the steering wheel shall be adjusted.
Step 3: select Coding/Program—>Service functions—>Adjustment, Steering-angle sensor, to
perform steering wheel adjustment, as shown in Fig.17 and Fig.18.

Fig.17 Fig.18

Step 4: show the information as shown in Fig.19 ~ Fig.21, which shall be paid attention to,
especially the precautions and warnings, and then perform step 5.

Fig.19
 Fig.20

Fig.21
Step 5: as shown in Fig.22, click YES to calibrate the steering angle, then the information
will be shown as in Fig.23 ~ Fig.24.

Fig.22

Fig.23

Fig.24
Step 6: shows the information as in Fig.25, check the zero position of steering angel, and
check whether the steering angle is 0 when the steering wheel is in horizontal position, as
 shown in Fig.26. If it is 0, then the steering angle adjustment succeeded, as shown in
Fig.27; If it is not 0, which will cause the problem of car operation, it shall be adjusted
again till the steering angle become 0 as shown in Fig.28.

Fig.25

Fig.26

Fig.27

Fig.28

Reset: is an important function during vehicle service. There is a Regular service lamp on
BMW instrument cluster, which is used to remind car owner to carry out regular service inspection
to avoid unnecessary damage for the car.
The instrument cluster has OIL SERVICE lamp and INSPECTION lamp, as well as five
green LEDs, one yellow LED and one red LED, all of which are the regular service lamps. When
the ignition ON, five green LEDs will be on, and will be off after the engine started. For each
1000 mile driving, one green LED will be off, till driving 5000 miles, five green LEDs will be off.
When the yellow LED, OIL SERVICE lamp or INSPECTION lamp is on, it indicates it is time to
regular service, if the red LED is also on, it indicates the regular service time has been exceeded.
Service inspection items:
1. replace engine oil and engine oil filter
2. replace following items according to the mileage or time:
Air cleaner 40000 miles
Gasoline filter 30000 miles
Spark plug 60000 miles
Oxygen sensor 100000 miles
Brake oil 12 months
Coolant 24 months
Gearbox oil 12 months
3. Check and adjust the other parts and devices
After performed regular service, the service lamp must be reset. There are two ways for
resetting, one way is by the original line jumper (which is for the older models, i.e. models with 20
pin round DLC) which can be referenced in related website, the other way is via the device, such
as X431.
In X431 software, except the 1 Series (E87), 3 Series (E90), 5 Series (E60/E61), 7 Series
(E65/E66), 6 Series (E63/E64), X5 Series (E70) and each F chassis, the other chassis has "Reset
service interval indicator" function as shown in Fig.29, which can be found from the Service
Function of corresponding KOM. Notice: the fault memory has nothing to do with the reset shall
be cleared before performing this function.

Fig.29
Here we will take the engine oil reset of 3 Series (E90) for a brief introduction.
Step 1: select chassis 3 Series—>E90, as shown in Fig.5.
Step 2: after the engine oil being replaced, use X431 to read fault memory and clear fault
memory for engine system.
Step 3: select Coding/Program—>Maintenance—>CBS reset—>Engine oil, to reset the
engine oil, as shown in Fig.30 ~ Fig.33. On some vehicles, it may be repeated 2 to 3 times till the
service lamp off.
 Fig.30 Fig.31

Fig.32 Fig.33

Recoding: after the control unit (ECU) being replaced, the ECU shall be recoding.
At present, in X431 software, the chassis of E38, E39, E46, E83, E60, and E53 have recoding
function. Here only take the recoding function in DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) of 3 Series
(E46) for an example.
Step 1: select chassis 3 Series —>E46, as shown in Fig.34.
Step 2: enter recoding menu to select Coding/Program—>CODING(Recoding & Car Key
Memory), as shown in Fig.35 and Fig.36.

Fig.34 Fig.35
 Fig.36 Fig.37
Step 3: select to replace immobilizer, instrument cluster, light switching center, as shown in
Fig.3.
Step 4: confirm VIN, as shown in Fig.38, click YES to enter the system menu, as shown in
Fig.39.

Fig.38

Fig.39
Step 5: enter DSC to show the vehicle information, as shown in Fig.40.
Step 6: click Recoding to perform recoding function, select YES to automatic recode, till the
recoding completed being prompted, then the recoding succeeded, as shown in Fig.41 ~ Fig.43. If
there is prompt for the failure during performing, please send corresponding data to us for solving
the problem in time.
 Fig.40

Fig.41

Fig.42

Fig.43
The above-mentioned are some commonly used applications of special functions in X431
BMW diagnostic software. Of course, there are other special functions, such as adjust the carbon
monoxide at idle, which hasn't been described here. We wish our diagnostic products can bring
new life for you. Meanwhile, in order to improve our products and functions, please e-mail or
online complain new problems or demands to us, we will do our best to give you a satisfactory
answer.

References:
BMW Service Manual E-version